Chronic Fatigue

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is a disorder that afflicts may people. Traditional Medical Workups are usually either Negative or Non-Conclusive. Anti-Depressants are prescribed sometimes and while they may help people “Feel Better” about their Fatigue States, they don’t address the problem of Fatigue. IV Vitamin C and/or the Meyer’s Cocktail has been shown to be beneficial in the treatment of Chronic Fatigue.

Almost everyone experiences fatigue from time to time. But for 800,000 U.S. adults, the fatigue is crushing, unrelieved by rest and accompanied by a constellation of other punishing symptoms.

They suffer from chronic fatigue and immune dysfunction syndrome (CFIDS). Also widely recognized as chronic fatigue syndrome or CFS, its symptoms are debilitating enough to destroy good health and active lifestyles, end fulfilling careers and devastate families.

More people suffer from CFIDS/CFS than MS, lung cancer or AIDS. Yet 80% have not been diagnosed by a medical provider. Preliminary studies indicate that for CFIDS/CFS, as with other chronic conditions, early detection, diagnosis and treatment ultimately yield better health outcomes.

A variety of therapeutic approaches have been described as benefiting patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Since no cause for CFS has been identified and the pathophysiology remains unknown, treatment programs are directed at relief of symptoms, with the goal of the patient regaining some level of pre-existing function and well-being.

Although desirable, a rapid return to pre-illness health may not be realistic, and patients who expect this prompt recovery and do not experience it may exacerbate their symptoms because of overexertion, become frustrated, and may become more refractory to rehabilitation.

Decisions regarding treatment for CFS or any chronically fatiguing illness should be made only in consultation with a health care provider. The health care provider, together with the patient, will develop an individually tailored program that provides the greatest benefit.

This treatment program will be based on assessment of the patient’s overall medical condition and current symptoms, and will be modified over time on the basis of regular follow-up and assessment of the patient’s changing condition.

Non-Pharmacologic Therapy

Physical Activity

An appropriate amount of physical activity is required by everyone for physical and emotional well-being. Patients with CFS are no exception. A key consideration for patients with CFS is to know how much to do and when to stop the activity. Regardless of the level of activity a patient with CFS may attempt, the most important guideline is to avoid increasing the level of fatigue.

In general, health care providers advise patients with CFS to pace themselves carefully and encourage them to avoid unusual physical or emotional stress. The paced activity can be counter-productive if it increases fatigue or pain.

A regular, manageable daily routine helps avoid the “push-crash” phenomenon characterized by overexertion during periods of better health, followed by a relapse of symptoms perhaps initiated by the excessive activity.

Although patients should be as active as possible, clinicians may need to explain the disorder to employers and family members, advising them to make allowances as possible.

Modest regular exercise to avoid de-conditioning is important. The program of exercise and/or the exercise itself should be supervised by a knowledgeable health care provider or physical therapist. Such supervision is particularly important for severely compromised patients.

These modalities may contribute to feeling better, but they are most effective when combined with patient-generated activity, including aquatic therapy, light exercise (adapted to personal capabilities), and stretching. Some patients may tolerate activities such as yoga and tai chi that require more energy.

Pharmacologic Therapy

Pharmacologic therapy is directed toward the relief of specific symptoms experienced by the individual patient. Patients with CFS appear particularly sensitive to many medications, especially those that affect the central nervous system.

Thus, the usual treatment strategy is to begin with very low doses and to gradually increase dosage as necessary and as tolerated. It is important to remember that use of any drug for symptom relief should be attempted only if an underlying cause for the symptom in question has not been found.

The best example is use of a sleep-enhancing medication for non-restorative sleep. Although the patient may state that they sleep better, the sleep disorder remains obscured and thus treatment of the sleep disorder not given.

It is also important to remember that all medications can cause untoward side effects, which may lead to new symptoms.

Infusion Therapy

Regardless of clinical diagnosis, many acutely and chronically sick patients benefit from intravenous vitamins and minerals, which are usually administered in multiple infusions before observing obvious benefit. This effect seems to be due to improved cellular energy.